News
If the Cowfolk are doing it, this is where it’s at…
Dodging The Rain
Both Saturday games got to about 20 overs and then were rained off.
The Sundays managed to dodge the showers and beat Peasdown St John b y 101 runs.
Dunc reports it thus:
Hey Pop Pickers! It was a slightly less glorious weather day in paradise, as the Cowboys Team Sunday (CTS) swaggered
into Rose Green to defend a winning run which had put them into a creditable 3rd place in Div 2.
Continuing that winning run against Peasedown St John (PSJ), the current incumbents of 2nd position, would make the Cowboys look very much like the main challengers to Blagdon at the top.
And so to the wicket, which has had rain for the first time in a while, and a few leaks in the covers ensured a very patchy
batting surface indeed. And bat we did.
The Usual Opening Pair (UOP) sauntered off into the middle. Awaiting them, the Chirpy Young Squad (CYS) of
PSJ, all nicknames and “C’mon ‘en budday”. Exactly 1.72 seconds after first ball release, J of the UOP was sent back to the hutch having been lured into pushing a practice catch back to the bowler. His mind was still on tea preparation.
Tom Taylor was next up. Decent quick bowling passed the outside edge amid CYS whooped approval and encouragement.
Skipper Bolts did the majority of the scoring in a slow recovery partnership tainted with deja vu. When Neil fell victim to a snick/glove whilst hooking, the score was on 29 and around 11 overs had elapsed. This was not the start we all wanted, but could Taylor Slightly Snr do anything about it now he had arrived at the batting crease? Indeed he could, as aggression proved the better mode with which to stifle the CYS of PSJ. A brotherly stand bridged the drinks break, during which Tom was given strict batting instructions by Our Glorious Leader. Acceleration followed, but the stand ended when Rob holed out at cover, having already survived at least one dropped chance from Similar Swiping Shots (SSS).
Kalpit continued in the SSS mode, all corners reached. His 74 from 39 balls after Rob’s 68 from 43 knocked Seven Shades of Stuffing (SSS#2) out of a far more quiet PSJ CYS. He and AB (AB) were left standing at the tea interval, The Boy Tommy (TBT) having been dismissed on a wonderful anchoring 76.
From 0 for 1 from 1 ball, 249 for 4 from 40 overs looked a slightly better than par score on a drying wicket.
The Avery Tea Co. had put together a sumptuous spread which was too healthy and weird for some members of the CYS.
Others among the ECCC faithful possess no such qualms and were in there like vultures. I had brought last week’s leftover Crusty Croc crisps, but felt too ashamed to retrieve them from my ruckie pocket as they would have looked wholly incongruous among the fresh hummus and home baked cheesecake.
The PSJ innings stared exactly as the home team’s hadn’t. It became swiftly apparent that they meant business, as the usually economical Matt Davey Bowling (MDB) suffered a boundary blow. However, wickets did start to fall, 2 in 2 to MDB, a third added before the 6 over spell finished, all bowled by very full deliveries.
A skyward glance though, would see a Potentially Greater Threat (PGT) to Cowboy victory than just boundary biffing, which had also been visited upon Dave’s opening spell. Huge billowing slate grey clouds amassing and charging over the Southern horizon bringing Ark Inspiring Tumults (AIT) little doubt to terminate proceedings.
Andy Bowen’s Raindance (ABR) style of run up brought on the first downpour, but covers were hastily wheeled into place and when the precipitation ceased precipitating, the strip was only marginally wetter than before. The ball did skid on a bit though, and although there was still run making and resistance, Andy picked up a couple of handy wickets. AB had a 2 over spell, alas not very successful, and was replaced by Kalpit. There was more ABR, more cover wheeling, inexpertly steered and running over the wicket on a good length (Oops). Arithmetic concerning run rate and 20 over marks filled the damp air. Upon our return to the pitch, my good self had been placed at backward square leg, deep on both boundaries in order to run off some cheescake and hummus.
After being pulled for a few runs, Kalpit instructed backward of square to go forward of, and bounced the red hatted best PSJ biffer.
He biffed, but with pinpoint accuracy to deep FSL who pouched a much needed catch to promote spontaneous Cowboy affection and glee. The relief was palpable.
It seemed only one batsman and bad weather could stand between the Cowboys and victory, and when Andy B finished a tidy 2 wicket spell, he made way for Rob, who got to work on the last hope and the rest of the tail. PSJ no. 11 almost brained Andy B with a pull shot which whistled past Andy’s ear on its way to the midwicket boundary. The next ball was driven past Rob’s follow through stride with similar result. But there’s nothing like the old three card trick, and the timbers were upset next ball and that, dear reader, was that.
Between Rob and Kalpit, the last 4 wickets were shared and 3 and 1 respectively, the final margin of victory 101 runs.
It was Jugs All Round (JAR) at GHQ. The PSJ CYS defeated before ABR could bring on the PGT of AIT. Deep FSL bagged cider moment for the catch, and MOM went to RT2, despite TBT and KP gaining well earned votes. UOP were pleased and VCDC had been specially flown in for the victory celebrations and debrief, during which he rightly pointed out that no Cowboy team had ever been in such a lofty league position as 2nd in Div 2.
Littleton reports it thus:
Review of the weekends action, or lack of meaningful action for those playing on Saturday as Summer returned with a vengeance to cut short the 1sts long trip to the no doubt ironically named Misomer Norton, and the seconds from being put to the sword by Bath.
However the 2nds result may have been a blessing in disguise as they now lie 4th 1 point behind Whitchurch with 2 games in hand, and 7 points behind 2nd placed Grendel with a game in hand. I predict 4 points safely in the bag this weekend weather permitting when they host Bath Exiles at the Farm. If games go according to form this will set up a potentially 2nd place deciding clash on August 10th at home against Grendel.
The 1sts face a tricky trip to Old Park who lie joint second with 2 other teams, victory would put them on the edge of the mix for the hotly contested 2nd place. Back at the start of June the Iguanas lost by 3 runs, however I predict that they’re going to have learned their lesson from that defeat and will start the long slow march to promotion contention.
On Sunday the Boltcutters entertained Peasedown St John who we were tied in 2nd with before the game. The plan was to insert the opposition, skittle them out and finish the game before the rain came, however Bolts lost the toss and he and Justin strode out to the middle. Not long after Justin tasted platinum and came back. An excellent opening spell by Swift saw the back of the skipper with the score on 29 after 11 overs. Time for the contrast in styles of the Taylor boys; young Tom had started nervously but the longer he stayed at the crease the more assured his innings became, brother Biffer set about the attack with his usual gusto. RT2 contributed 68 of their partnership of 103 before skying one to a fielder who could catch after facing just 43 balls. PSJ breathed a sigh of relief which stuck in their lungs as Kalpit continued the onslaught, he and Tom added 110 in very short time, Tom eventually holing out in the last over for 76 off 130 balls. Kalpit was stumped off the last ball for a belligerent 74 of 39 balls,leaving debutant AB 1 not out and the Cowboys total on a healthy 249 for 5.
Justin and Erica had prepared a sumptuous tea including home made cakes which was eaten a bit more quickly than the Sundays are used to with the threat of impending rain. Peasedown were clearly aware of the threat in the forecast as they set about the opening bowling of Matt D and the Heavy Roller, loose balls were punished and PSJ were nearly up with the run rate however Matt sent 3 of them back with yorker length deliveries. With the skies darkening AB’s introduction to Sunday cricket was a baptism of fire as their skipper brought up a rapid 50 before Bolts brought Andy B on and the rain intervened. The game would probably have been abandoned at this point or shortly thereafter had we been playing elsewhere, however having covers enabled us to keep the wicket dry enough, although they too could do with a bit of TLC. We had them on and off 3 times in the next 30 minutes, after the first interruption Kalpit was brought on and tempted the PSJ skipper Tucker to pull one to Duncan fielding on the square leg boundary. Dunc took the catch nearly on his haunches and at this point I think all knew that the game was likely up. The weather started to brighten after the third interuption and Andy Bowen, Kalpit and RT2 cleaned up the tail with only the other Tucker really offering any resistance. RT2 and Matt D finished with 3 wickets apiece, Kalpit and Andy B with 2 each as PSJ were all out for 148 off 28 overs. RT2 sneaked the MotM award from his brother and Kalpit, and Dunc nearly cleaned up the Cider with his match deciding catch. All of this took place in front of the Taylor father (henceforth known as DT1), who showed where his boys get their love and knowledge of the game from. Also in attendance was the vice skipper who pronounced watching more difficult than playing, and a smattering of other Cowfolk, of whom Gimpy deserves the most praise for his heroic help with the covers despite his bad back, as well as scoring the first innings with the indefatigable Erica. Scorecard can be found here http://cowboys.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11652972
The result means that Easton Cowboys Sunday XI now lie clear in 2nd place 8 points behind leaders Blagdon, and 4 points ahead of PSJ and the Old E. The Old E travel to 5th placed Cheddar on Sunday which could knock them further back, while the Sunday Cows travel to BAWA to face Grendel Exiles. They lie 3rd bottom but provided a stiff test in the home encounter earlier in the season, our Sundays only reaching their total with an over to spare. I predict another win, however with the skipper and Kalpit both away Deano will have to select and juggle wisely.
Onwards and upwards amigos.
Mondiali Video
From Blue:
Sad News About Dosser
From the Facebook Group
for anyone who knew Lee ‘Dosser’ Dowse, star of tournament gong shows of the past, who died suddenly of a heart attack last week (in the pub!), his funeral will be next Weds 31st July at 4pm at Haycombe Cemetary in Bath. His mum says…
‘Please come to celebrate the life of Lee Dowse, please wear anything you fancy or anything that reminds you of Lee. No obligation to buy flowers.
Protests in Brazil
What’s behind the protests that mobilized hundreds of thousands of Brazilians and shocked the country in the middle of the Confederations Cup? Who are the protesters and what are their flags and demands? What are the direction and the consequences of the mobilization?
Two of our friends from Autonomos will give a visual report on what happened in Sao Paolo and try to answer these questions.
On A Roll
13/07/2013
The Saturday 1st Team beat Midsomer Norton Methodists by 17 runs. The Cowboys hit 179 with Asad hitting 53 and Ben hitting 49. In reply the methodists hit 162 for 9. Garnier, TT and Asad got 3 wickets each and Asad got 2 wickets. Scorecard
14/07/2013
The Sunday Team beat Carsons and Mangotsfield by 6 wickets. CMCC were bowled out for 100 off 28.4 overs. Kalpit, RT2, Wilko and Andy B all got 2 wickets. The Cowboys got the runs in 23 overs with RT2 top scoring with 23. Scorecard
TT reported the Sat 2 vicotry thus:
On a molten Ashes afternoon, the Saturday 1st XI entertained Midsomer Norton Methodists’ 1st XI at at the furnace in Farmborough. The pitch looked a bit rough and patchy and may have been given a drink earlier in the day, but surely if he won the toss, skipper Ben wouldn’t ask his team to bowl first in the heat? Thankfully, after he’d worked his voodoo spell on the coin, he opted to bat first and those that could retreated to the shade as Ev and Ange walked out to open up.
The wicket soon exhibited a few signs of unpredictable spite that the bowlers exploited well, Ev falling to a catch in the gully with the score barely in double figures, Ange falling to a catch off the same bowler after the promise of three boundaries and the foundations of a partnership with Ben. Justin’s early departure, bowled on the back foot, left the Cowboys on 31-3, scored at just under three an over. The tempo picked up with Asad at the crease, appearing as capable and solid as the skipper with whom he steered the team away from danger, the former finding the boundary with powerful blows, the latter accumulating with deft touches and defending with perpendicular correctness. Together they sailed the total past a hundred as the opposition, wilting in the sun, juggled the bowling around but couldn’t dislodge them: By the time Asad had hit his tenth four to bring up his half century, the pair had amassed the team’s highest partnership of the season. When he fell shortly afterwards for an impressive 53, he’d helped the Cowboys to a very handy 150-4.
The resolute skipper remained, joined by AB batting on his debut for the team, both intent on wringing as many runs as possible out of the remaining overs. Selflessly, after hitting a boundary AB sacrificed himself in a run out, leaving Davey to grab a few more vital runs with Ben, who, after 40 overs with the score on 179-5, ended up on a jug-avoiding, disciplined captain’s innings of 49 not out, proving that food poisoning the night before doesn’t necessarily affect one’s batting.
And so to tea, which was a long time in the making; the beans, peas, carrots, lettuce and spuds were planted in May, the strawberry, gooseberry and redcurrant bushes are a few years old. Cakes and sandwiches don’t grow on trees.
Leaving sidelined coach Iggy to do the washing up and get out of the sun for a bit, the Cowboys took to the the field with a rather mangled ball. Davey and Garnier opened the attack but the batsmen found runs reasonably comfortably in the first dozen overs and Ange was kept busy behind the timbers: His agility and safe hands made the breakthrough when the Landlord came on, tied the batters down a bit, found a sweet spot on the pitch and induced an edge behind. The other opener then skied a catch to Asad in the covers, putting a second dent in the innings and the score on 69-2. Having been hit for a six – the ball lost and replaced – Lalith changed ends and soon had his adversary caught low down by Davey, coming in from the long on boundary with a fag in his mouth, which was presumably there as an aid to concentration.
The replacement ball was noticeably livelier through the air, although its preponderance to swing, despite being advantageous, also took some controlling. Before the end of his spell the Landlord had the chance to remove the young No.5 who was getting set, but the return catch was upon him too soon and he didn’t have a fag in his mouth. This proved costly as the fourth wicket partnership grew, reaching fifty as Asad and Lalith toiled without any luck, before Asad had a successful LBW appeal as reward for bowling a good line and Lalith inflicted a double blow to the Meths by bowling the No.5. As with buses, the third wicket came along behind with Lalith bowling another to reduce the opposition to 128-6, some fifty runs short with less than ten overs remaining. Would the tail wag or whimper?
The low sun was still fierce, the hedgerow dark, as veteran swinger Garnier returned for another spell: Novice AB sent down a tidy handful of overs, preventing the run rate from accelerating and adding to the squeeze. Boundary patrol intensified, the whole team on high alert to prevent the opposition from scoring. Then Garnier heroically bowled the No.8, followed by the No.9 and the batting was running out of breath a couple of dozen runs short of the target with only a couple of overs remaining. Asad picked up his second wicket by bowling the No.10, adding further weight behind the unanimous Man of the Match nomination as the innings petered out on 162-9, securing a hard fought victory for the Cowboys by seventeen runs.
Cider Moment nominations were multitudinous and included Ange and Davey’s catches but omitted Ghanaby’s feat of cycling to the match, mending a puncture en route and fielding like a gazelle.
Fat Boy comments thus:
Spot on once again, you can call me Paul the Octopus if you like. Wins for both league teams, a moral victory for the Saturday friendlies and an honourable defeat for the Sunday friendlies. Not knowing the make up of the friendly teams I refrained from a prediction for them last week, however my league team oracle is in fine working order.
Preece’s Peregrines plucked another pigeon with victory over Midsomer Norton Methodists on saturday at Farmboro, the landlord has provided his usual excellent piece of prose elsewhere. The coach was apparently sick as a parrot at his team’s turn of fortune since his injury has been keeping him out! The win has moved the Saturdays up to 6th, 8 points behind 2nd placed Oldfield Park, but a massive 16 points behind table toppers Bath, who they meet on Saturday. Can the Saturday Cows make it four wins on the bounce? Well there are more remarkable things in the world, such as the Giant Squid, so what the hell, bollox to bath and hail victory to the Peregrines of the gorge, over the poncy ones of Bath Abbey!
The Saturday 2s have another week off but other action in their division last weekend means they are now back in 4th place after Whitchurch beat Bath Exiles convincingly on Saturday. Interestingly 3rd placed Whitchurch play 2nd placed Grendel next Saturday, will the Otters send a spy along? Hopefully Jeff’s boys will be getting some practice in over the weekend as their next game is at the Farm against Lansdown who are still cruising this division.
So to the Boltcutters, Bolts’s Badgers maybe, or more commonly known as the Cowboys Sunday XI. We travelled to Pomphrey Hill, a hard sun-baked ground to play Carsons & Mangotsfield yesterday. Your correspondent played very little active part in the game as he had been partaking of to much cider, tequila, brandy and curry the previous evening, and among the many wise decisions by the skipper was the one to leave me standing around aimlessly in the field, rather than get me to try anything more strenuous.
C&M won the toss and elected to bat which looked a good decision given the heat of the day, and the age of most in the Cowboys team. Bolts mixed it up again with Wilko and Andy B opening the bowling, which after a few boundaries reaped dividends with both getting balls to pop up and make the openers lob the ball into the waiting Kalpits hands, Wilko then got one to turn through the gate to bowl no.3, before Andy removed their skipper Glen ‘run machine’ Cambridge for a duck with the help of a catch by our glorious leader. Dean got in on the act by bowling their number 4. Amidst this clatter of wickets a cheer from the pavilion assured us that England had finally got their man. Rosling at no.6 was batting manfully for his team and was rewarded with a half ton, whilst being supported by younger members of the team, however when Wilko was left stunned by their young female batter he wasn’t eyeing up young ladies, she edged one, he stopped the ball using a combination of hand and eye, Justin was on it in a flash and the young woman didn’t make her ground at the bowlers end. Perhaps she was too concerned about the older gentleman she had left writhing on the parched earth. Mark’s bravery for the cause was only superceded as Cider moment by Tom’s brilliant stumping off Kalpit’s bowling to remove another dogged youngster. Kal then comprehensively bowled the half centurion, before Rob T cleaned up the tail to leave Carsons all out on exactly 100.
After tea your correspondent took up position next to Liz T to perform his only useful function of the day-scoring, assisted by Tom T and then Kal on the snazzy electronic scoreboard thingy! The skipper and Justin started at a good rate but then stalled against some tight C&M bowling until Bolts holed out having scored 16 off 28 balls, Tom T and Justin continued to accumulate slowly before they both decided they had had enough of the heat with the score on 56. With Rob T and Duncan at the wicket the run rate improved markedly, and although Duncan was bowled just before the end, Kal came in and Rob beliggerently finished it off having scored 23 n.o. off 10 balls, after a total of 23.1 overs.
This result combined with a defeat for PSJ at the Old E, and a more surprising defeat for Blagdon at home to Purnells, leaves the Cowboys Sundays joint second with PSJ with a game in hand, and only 8 points behind top team Blagdon. Lurking just 2 points behind us are in form Cheddar, and another 2 points back are the Old E. Blagdon take on Cheddar next Sunday, while the Cowboys face Failand & Portbury, at home but not at BWI apparently. Failand’s recent mini revival was ended by Cheddar on Sunday so they are still 2nd bottom, and although they have shown some improvement I predict another Cowboys victory.
I wave all my 8 arms in salute.
Paul
Three League Wins
06/07/2013
Saturday 1 beat Nailsea 3 by 9 wickets. RT1 bowled 8 overs 2 for 15 and Asad bowled 8 overs 2 for 16 as Nailsea collapsed to 79 all out. Angelo hit 30 not out. Scorecard.
Saturday 2 beet Whitechuch 3 by 25 runs. Barnaby hit 96 not out as the Cowboys got 215. Alex bowled 8 overs 4 for 32 and Andy Bowen bowled 8 overs 1 for 17. Scorecard.
07/07/2013
Sundays beat Old England by 46 runs. The Cowboys hit 205 with RT2 hitting 51 and Dunc hitting 44. Wilko bowled 8 overs 3 for 47 and Fat Boy bowled 7 overs 2 for 29. Scorecard.
The Saturday 1 game was reported thus by TT:
Following complaints, it should be noted that all cricketers and events appearing in this report may be fictitious. Any resemblance to reality, real persons, living, dead, undead or asleep is purely coincidental.
At the station, team manager and taxi driver Iggy anxiously awaited the late arrival of the train from Gloucester carrying last week’s Man of the Match. Meanwhile, chez Lalith, a deep sleep was disturbed by the persistent ringing of a phone. What with being stalked in the supermarket earlier while buying provisions for tea, so far Ben wasn’t having an easy time of captaincy. It didn’t get any better when on the way to the ground, Ev was spotted driving in the opposite direction. Somehow, within the hour the Cowboys were ready with eleven on the field at Farmborough versus Nailsea 3rd’s ten.
Any more of this winning the toss business and there’ll be an inquiry, but once again Ben carried on the successful streak, asked the opposition to bat first and his bowlers and fielders to toil in the heat of the baking sun. RT1 and Garnier coped admirably, any occasional wayward spewings often admirably collected by birthday boy Ollie behind the stumps. However, it’s regrettable that the young man incurred a five run penalty for the inappropriate placement of his helmet.
A few early runs leaked across a fast outfield until both bowlers got their reward for accuracy, guile and swing, RT1 with a positive LBW decision and Garnier hitting the stumps. The third wicket fell within the first ten overs when the opposition skipper foolishly swept across the line to Garnier and was without hesitation adjudged to be LBW.
Perhaps it was then that a batsman came to the crease bereft of a bat and caused much mirth and around about this time that Ange performed some aerial acrobatics to stop but not catch a ball that was thwacked at him from close range. Ollie made no mistake in taking an edge to give RT1 his second wicket although the batsman lingered a while in trying to tell the umpire, and everyone else in the valley who’d heard the edge, that he hadn’t touched it. Perhaps, in the bushes, someone looked down at the twig that they’d just snapped in two.
Garnier was replaced by Asad, firing it in on a good length just outside off stump, swinging the ball enough to prevent the batsman from getting anything but an edge on it, one of which (not the one that the skipper dropped) AB – making his debut for the 1st XI – confidently leapt and caught above his head at gully, later voted as the Cider Moment. With five wickets down and barely fifty runs on the board, Nailsea looked rather ragged but maybe not incapable of recovering. They didn’t help their cause when their most successful batsman hit one straight to Tooley and set off down the track for a run that his partner didn’t want: a calm, accurate throw to Ollie saw him easily run out.
Asad bowled out his economical spell, rewarded for his accuracy with a second wicket for a ball that clipped off stump, leaving Lalith to mop up with some loopy turners, which when they pitched, spat this way and that and were too good for the shortened Nailsea tail. He also ended with a brace of cheap wickets to have the opposition dismissed in the 29th over for 79 with the tea urn barely tepid.
Out to bat strode Ev and Ange, gladiatorial with their blades in the heat of the arena. A watchful start against some nippy bowling paid dividends as the pair settled and enjoyed an unbroken partnership before tea, Ange smiting some powerful blows, Ev accumulating with footwork and style.
Tea was delicious, varied and ample although the earlier supermarket stalking incident appeared to have befuddled Ben into purchasing enough watermelon to feed the population of the Mendips. A lot of it would later mysteriously appear as cattle fodder in a field near Stanton Drew.
The refreshed opening batsmen continued where they’d left off, assuredly pushing the score on at four runs an over and reaching their half-century partnership, shortly after which Ev was caught at mid-on for a solid 24. In strode captain watermelon to join Man of the Match Ange, who was playing too well and having far too much of a nice time to get out. Neither of them did as they knocked off the remaining runs – Ange undefeated on 30 – helping the Cowboys to a nine wicket victory in the 21st over, a vast arsenal left unused, surplus to requirement, a bit like the watermelon.
With no refreshments to hand and another two dozen overs left in a glorious summer’s day, various routes were taken to Stanton Drew where both were found and to a backdrop of distant hot air balloons and nearby bovine copulation, the 2nd XI fought to complete a splendid victory against Whitchurch 3rd XI.
The Saturday 2 match was reported thus by DC1:
Return of the King
Barnaby King’s super 96 not out against Whitchurch ensured a third win for ECCC Saturday 2, and also demonstrated the strength-in-depth the Cowboys appear to have this season. In any other game Alex Hooper would have expected a few man-of-the-match votes for his 4 for 32, and someone would have thrown Jeff & Stroddy’s names into the hat too – Skipper for his 4 catches behind and Stroddy for an outstanding fielding effort with 2 run-outs and a catch.
As it was Barnaby’s first innings knock stole the show. Batting number 3, and at the crease in the fifth over, he was still there at the end, flaying at the last ball of the 40th over in an attempt to bring up his hundred. A 50 plus partnership with DC1 was followed by another with Grant Forrester, and the Whitchurch skipper must have been rueing his decision to put the Cowboys in – it seemed a bit as if his priority was having a look at some new quick bowlers. Finishing on 215 from the 40 overs, with Andy Bowen on 15 not out, Cowboys Saturday seconds have now not been bowled out since the middle of May.
Accurate, good-length bowling from openers Andy B and Alex H – who had clearly learnt from the Whitchurch display of short stuff – put immediate pressure on the Whitchurch reply, combining with tight and committed fielding around the park to slowly strangle the ‘church. A couple of the Whitchurch young guns managed to put together something of a partnership in the middle of the innings, but once Jonnsie Leach had winkled one of them out and then Barnaby and his big grin removed the other, the Cowboys began to feel that the win was inevitable. By the time the innings was into its 30th over the required run-rate was so high that it was even safe to give DC1 his first bowl of the season. Eight of the 10 wickets to fall were fielder’s wickets, run-outs and catches, and the Saturday seconds demonstrated excellent ground-fielding throughout the Whitchurch innings – nothing went through either DC2 or Pete Ray in the mid-on mid-off V. Whilst Cowboys didn’t catch absolutely everything there were certainly no dollies dropped in the outfield. Another super win from the Saturday seconds, who finish this week 3rd in the table.
MoM – Barnaby King
Cider Moment – Jeff catching the ball in his box, then dropping it because he didn’t know it was there.
The Sundays match was reported thus by Dunc:
Ice Cold in Alex? Nothing, a cakewalk compared to playing cricket at Blaise Castle on Sunday. The nomadic tribesmen that are The Old England arrived melting in 30 degrees as did the Cowboys. The latter headed over to the closest shade across the park. The former chose manfully to broil in their own juices without shelter. Fools.
Win the toss, decide to bat on what was likely to be a lively wicket, strap some pads on, that’s Sunday afteroon for Mr. Boulton. His running partner in the dream opening ticket, namely Justin, fell to the first ball, bowled around his legs. Oh my! It was an uncharacteristic failure. Tom strode off to the oven and put on a very slow but useful 45 run partnership with Our Glorious Leader before he left the skipper, now ready for basting (gas mark 5, 20 mins per pound). Big Brother went to join in the fun, knocking the ball hither and thither. Run rate increasing, Old E. skipper Lou swearing like ..well like Lou, and beginning to run out of good bowlers. The blast furnace was unrelenting, a now fully toasted Bolts, edged to slip. Enter 2012 No. 7, elevated a couple of spots to enable extra cooking time to his now stringy old flesh. RT2 and he, plastered in dirt cheap factor 15, began an assault on a withering but still useful bowling attack, pushing on at about a run a ball. Rob reached 50, then, got out caught. Matt D, looking for some runs, joined the fray. Under instructions from his senior partner, he had a look at a few to get the pace then began to plunder as the field spread. Understandably, the fielding standard drooped under the sun. Falling one small step for batsman-kind short of a half century, thus avoiding the giant leap which is expensive beer buying, the now thoroughly dehydrated No. 5 was bowled attempting a weedy version of a late cut to a straight ball (oops). He returned sweating like Anthony Quayle under the ambulance, making way for Dave “Harry Andrews.“ Littleton to put on the last dozen or so runs with Matt. Both left the pitch unscathed, 3 and 30 to their names, and a pretty healthy scoreboard stood at 205 for 5.
Tea, resembling a Dali clock, was served from the boot of a car, possibly French. Bread, definitely pseudo French, with a variety of fillings accompanied sweating comestibles and was gratefully received. It took some doing to present food with no amenities, so well done to the Old E for that.
The task of defending 5.1 per over was attended to after the usual nicotine frenzy and rizla origami amid the undergrowth. Mark W, unusually not used as a batter, (willow-wielding, not frying) calmly opened the bowling alongside Matt D. Embrowned as they were becoming, the Cowboys conceded a few too many runs at the start, but a steady flow of wickets looked on, though again an edge to Tom (off Mark) went unrewarded by batman or umpire. A smart catch from Justin at point was the early breakthrough, and after some bludgeoning, the no 3 followed, lofting to Bolts waiting oh so very casually at mid on.
The most laid back no 4 in the world walked a few runs and was joined by the keeper. Definitely the most unfortunate chap of the day, he was felled first ball by a rising delivery from Rob which hit him in the face, knocked out one of his teeth, and necessitated a visit to hospital. It’s never good to see anybody have to leave the field in such a way, but leave he did, and he was not going to return.
The next 2 batsmen knocked the ball around and were rewarded with runs but never looked like they were in for the marathon alongside Mr. Cool who was accumulating gently and sensibly in the dipping warmth. Both fell to excellent catches from Deano, who bagged Cider Moment as a result of the 2nd diving effort. Around this juncture, as if by deliberate contrast, Glorious Leader shelled a skier from Mr. Cool and as runs were still piling on at a decent if slower rate, it looked as though it may have proved a turning point. Mr. B, Sylvia Syms after she let the ambulance starting handle go. Martin the Mantis now made his appearance at the bowling crease and did a tidy job of holding back the run chase. Dave rolled in to good effect, getting a reckless edge. His best moment, clean bowling the garrulous Mr. Ladd, oppo leader, who went off to duff up a water bottle amid blue air.
The thumbscrews were out, but the limpet-like performance of the no. 4 was still a potential thorn in the Cowboys side. A run out prompted by the confusion of running on a wide culled a stubborn partnership. Matt D, responsible for the run out, was restored to the attack and his first ball was thwacked unceremoniously toward the cow corner boundary. But there was not enough strength left in heat wilted arms and Our Glorious and Omnipotent Leader was spared a crimson blush as man of the match Rob took the catch which wrapped up a spirited but doomed chase. Mark W finished with 3 useful early wickets, Rob with 2, Dave with 2, and Matt with the Coup de Grace so we weren’t all too melted to vote back at HQ. This act of mercy was final word in a weekend chapter containing the maximum three victories for the Cowboys cricket section.
Set ‘em up Joe!
Three Wins
29/06/2013
Saturday 1 beat Oldfield Park by 36 runs. The Toolster hit 55 in 35 balls and Preece hit 39 as The Cowboys got 176. Oldfield Park hit 140 for 8 in reply. Kalu bowled 2 for 13 and Asad bowled 3 for 8. Scorecard.
A friendly team including Nation and GT beat Whitechurch.
30/06/2013
Sundays beat Kilmersdon by 49 runs. The Cowboys hity 166 with Boults getting 36 and Fat Boys getting 23. Kilmesdon hit 117 all out in 34.4 overs. Stratto got 4 wickets for 30 and Fat Boy got 3 wickets for 13 runs. Scorecard.
TT reports the Saturday 1 match thus:
Halfway through the season, with Iggy injured, the Cowboys were set to ride off to Blackhorse Lane with Ev holding the reins – except Ev was still asleep and his horse had bolted. After a telephonic bucket of water over the head from Iggy, he grabbed a donkey and headed north-west.
It was bright and sunny with intermittent clouds and a westerly breeze. Continuing the run of good luck with the coin, Ev won the toss and decided that the pitch was worth batting on first and strode out to open with Grover. After twelve overs they had managed thirteen runs, with Grover outscoring Ev who had possibly gone back to sleep. The scorers had.
Grover was caught trying to push the score along, after which it became Ben’s duty to keep Ev awake. Together they got the score to fifty before Ev was bowled after his resilient and judicious occupancy of the crease / tedious blocking (delete as preferred). Tooley came in and matched Ben for stylish strokeplay, both of them the epitome of fine batsmanship, sending the ball racing to the boundary across an unpredictable and unforgiving outfield. On his way to fifty, one of Tooley’s mighty blows took the fielder over the line at long-off for six and when he was caught for 55 with the score on 131-3 he’d upped the run rate and helped the Cowboys to a healthy position.
On his debut for the Saturday 1st XI, Asad scored a highly useful run-a-ball 20 with his resolute partner Ben and when bowled, with the score on 156-4, was replaced by second debutant Ollie. With the overs running out and orders to extract as much as possible from them, Ollie was unfortunate to be caught early on but avoided the ignominy that befell his successor Lalith, who perished for a duck. The collapse continued when Ben’s was the fourth wicket to fall for five runs, bowled for a vital 39. Garnier and the Landlord eked out a few more runs from what was left of the 40 overs to get the total to 176-7.
Tea was served in a room accessed through the toilets that made toilets in a French campsite look classy. Everyone tried hard not to drop their doughnuts and indiscriminate baps on the floor on the hasty way back out.
Defending their total on a pitch that exhibited the potential for turn and bounce, Ev selected RT1 and Lalith to open the bowling, the former perfoming with customary guile and accuracy, the latter immediately having both batsmen in trouble and in no position to score. Bowling one opener for a duck, Lalith bowled out his very economical spell as Garnier replaced RT1 from the other end.
Looking very deft behind the stumps, Ollie pulled off a remarkable wide catch off Garnier’s bowling that would later be chosen as the Cider Moment and the excellence continued when Lalith set up and bowled the new batsman with a flicked carrom ball in his final over, ending with 2-13. The Landlord replaced Lalith but didn’t match his economy and the partnership grew, with SteveO unable to stem the relative flurry of runs at the other end. The Landlord’s yorker finally did for the opening bat, who fell short of his fifty with Oldfield Park on 108-4.
Asad bowled a fine, brisk debut spell, limiting any chance the opposition had of catching up with and maintaining the required run rate, which was creeping over a run a ball. Wickets could have arrived sooner, due to the usual one or two spilled catches but also a batsman and umpire’s inability to feel, see, hear or smell an edge that everyone else had. C’est la vie. They departed in the end, thanks largely to Asad’s Man of the Match winning 3-17 and a textbook (cricket) boundary catch by RT1 after a textbook (cookery) spilled one by the Landlord.
Ev bowled an over to show that he was awake now, thought twice, mumbled something about maths and gave the ball to RT1 for a second spell. The opposition didn’t appear to have the clout or will to chase the target and one of their own was heard to shout, “The object of the game is to win.” No such lack of intent from the Cowboys, who put the pythonesque (snake) squeeze on Oldfield Park to a Pythonesque (Monty) soundtrack from a neighbourhood ice cream van. RT1 picked up a late return catch to ensure that the fire was out and after 40 overs the innings petered out on 140-8.
http://nscl.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11652484
Fat Boy reports the Sundays match thus:
As the sun is dipping toward the sea here on the coast I can reflect on a triply victorious weekend for the cricketing fraternity. The nights will soon start drawing in but until they do lets enjoy a successful end to the summer on the fields of North Somerset, BANES and Bristol and beyond. The weekend just gone saw victories for the Friendlies, Saturday 1sts and the Sundays.
I have yet to see a match report or scorecard for the Friendlies so will dangle this invitation out there to all who partook in their victory over Whitchurch to enlighten us with a report on their derring do. I did hear rumours that the Friendly 11 included me old muckers Steve Nation, and Geoff (was that really Chief Weasel/Stockings Geoff as some of us know him?). I would love to read how the Old Dog and Weasel performed so get it down in writing someone. Some of the rest of the team were regular Saturday 2s players, and they will have the pleasure of playing against Whitchurch again next Saturday. If the Otters are victorious again they will leapfrog their opponents into 3rd place and maybe even 2nd if Timsbury defeat Grendel. The Otters haven’t lost in over a month now and I will boldly predict another victory for them, and say hello to the Whitchurch village people from me.
Meanwhile the Iguanas, or was it the temporary Gibbons, were inflicting defeat on Oldfled Park. Tim has submitted his usual excellent decription elsewhere, and although the win doesn’t see the 1sts climb further up the table, they are now healthily clear of the bottom 2. A win against 2nd bottom Nailsea on Saturday at the Farm would catapult them onto the coat tails of the pack chasing promotion in a division that is tighter than a gnats arse. Spanking will be the order of the day and it won’t be the Iguana/Gibbons withe sore bums, despite handing Nailsea their only win of the season back in early May.
On Sunday the Boltcutters without their Indian contingent again were looking to bounce back against Kilmersdon. The opposition put the Sundays into bat and the skipper and Justin got us off to a good start until another in the series of bizarre run outs saw J depart gallantly. Tom and Bolts accumulated runs at about 4 an over but the drinks break lead to a break in concentration, and they both fell to catches, and were closely followed by Biffer Taylor to a brilliant caught and bowled. The rest of the middle order got themselves in and out, although it has to be said that Kilmersdon had put glue on their fingers taking some great catches. The score was looking decidedly on the low side at 104-6. however Wilko and Andy B started accumulating, and after Wilko’s departure the Heavy Roller trundled out, and he Andy and Dean ftched the score up to a defendable 166-8, the Roller hitting 23 off 12 balls.
After a Tesco value tea, Matt D and Wilko opened the bowling. Matt’s bowling has been tighter than a constipated gnats arse lately, his 8 overs included 4 maidens and he conceded only 10 runs however no wickets. At the other end Wilko was unlucky with 2 drops off his bowling, his 5 overs went for 20 but again couldn’t remove the openers. Although the run rate was slow wickets were what was needed. Strattocaster replaced Wilko and immediately removed number 2, then number 1, number 3, and number 4 followed shortly after. His first 6 overs went for 15 runs, however in what DC1 later described as the most blatant jug avoidance he had ever seen his last 2 also went for 15. Stratto’s action was described by an observer who shall remain nameless as being like a ‘dislocated preying mantis’, those who have seen him bowl will appreciate this description, and Martin surley won’t give a shit after taking another 4 wickets. Rob T’s action maybe more text book and he kept the batsmen starved of runs and bowled their wicketkeeper brilliantly executing a plan, however nos 6 & 7 started hitting boundaries regularly to put a small frisson of fear in the watching Cows on the boundary. No fear the skipper had had a plan all along by making the Heavy Roller run the length of the ground between overs while fielding, and then giving him a couple of overs respite before introducing him, and Andy B. Their bowling partnership was as effective as their batting partnerships have been recently, the skipper holding both catches at mid on off the Roller to get rid of the 2 dangerous looking bats, and Andy B bowling 2 before the Heavy one finished it off bowling the last man to give the Sundays victory by 49 runs.
Many thanks to the Cow supporters who turned up to watch, and ever ready Erica, for whom scoring is a work of art. The Sundays are now up to 3rd, 4 points behind 2nd placed Peasedown who were beaten by Blagdon, and level on points with 4th placed Old E, who we have a crunch game against next Sunday at whichever yard they are using next week. We both have a game in hand on PSJ so with victory being vital, and having lost to them by one run earlier in the season I predict a one run victory to keep the central Bristol universe in balance. Come along and watch should be a cracker!
EGM
Just to remind you all – we are having an Extraordinary General Meeting of the full club on Monday 8th July at 7pm at Hawks Gym. Please let all your players and other club members know. We need to be quorate including people from all sections of the club. Please attend to discuss the 3 proposals which are about the cow book, getting a lock up and merchandising.
Damp Disappointment
25/06/2013
The Saturday 1st Team lost to Avonside by 54 runs. They hit 227 from their 40 overs. RT1 bowled 28 for 3 from 6 and TT bowled 18 for 1 from 8. In reply The Cowboys managed only 173 all out. Angelo hit 29, Iggy hit 28. Scorecard. The match report is below.
Saturdays 2 were rained off at Timsbury which is only a mile from where the first team were playing. The stewards are inquiring.
26/06/2013
The Sundays lost to Blagdon by 152 runs. Blagdon hit 261. Matt D bowled 8 overs for 18 runs taking 1 wicket. In reply The Cowboys hit 109 with Fat Boy hitting 32. Scorecard
TT reported the Saturday 1 game thus:
In cricket there are several types of rained-off matches, but this wasn’t one of them. Despite overnight rain and an abundance of blue splodges on the rainfall radar, the Saturday 1st XI headed through intermittent light drizzle to Farmborough for their home match against ‘big-hitting’ Avonside.
Working his solstician magic, Iggy won the toss for the seventh time in succession and once again, with an octet of bowlers at his disposal, asked the opposition to bat first on a green strip with a damp but fast-drying outfield.
Davey and RT1 took the new ball, the latter having the best of possible starts by inducing a mistimed swipe into the covers for the Landlord to pouch, dismissing the reputable opening skipper for a duck. The new batsman and remaining opener then accumulated runs at just under four an over, putting on fifty together until the Landlord, replacing Davey down the hill, starting with two maidens, prompted a risky swipe across the line that found an edge which soared high before descending for RT1 to take a well-judged catch.
Wilki and the Landlord proceeded past drinks, keeping the run rate down and giving stumps and bats a close shave, but it wasn’t until Garnier’s spell that the next wicket fell. Thereafter, the Avonside middle order sought to up the tempo, attacking Lalith, who responded to no avail by bowling off a Duncanesque longer run.
After Garnier hit the stumps for the second time to dismiss the opener just short of his half-century, the opposition, with wickets in hand, piled on the runs as Ev and the returning Davey tried their best to prevent them from doing so. Both picked up a wicket apiece in the process and RT1’s second spell earned him a couple more, one from his trademark slower delivery after being hit for a six the previous ball.
At the end of their 40 overs ‘The Riverbank Men’ had amassed 227-8, which was perhaps no more than had been expected earlier in the week, but a few more than had been forecast earlier in the afternoon.
Gratitude is owed to Ange not only for providing the tea, but for the pizza and chips back at the pub later. After a light passing shower he took his Nimbus 2013 to the wicket with Grove to open the Cowboys’ reply.
The pair coped well with Avonside’s pacey opening bowlers, building a slow but solid opening partnership, finding the boundary with just enough regularity and reaching fifty together unscathed. The middle of the brother’s willow certainly appeared to have some oomph in it and he used it well. Grove was the first to depart, caught at point off the slow bowling of the opposing skipper, then Ange was out in a similar fashion to the bowler from the other end: 65-2.
Ev and Wilki tried to rebuild, one eye on the escaping run rate, but when Ev was not long after caught at extra cover and Davey his replacement was bowled a couple of overs later, there was a familiar blue funk in the air. Wilki’s departure in a similar fashion to the same bowler compounded the feeling: 84-5.
If anyone was capable of maintaining the required asking rate it was Iggy, with solid support from Preash. The latter, hitting the ball with more force each week, looked more than capable of staying around in support, but perished to another catch before the hundred was up, bringing Lalith to the middle.
The pair’s sensible but purposeful intent paid off and the score picked up as both got their eye in, unleashed some powerful blows and dashed up and down the wicket. Then, with a crack that would have been picked up by Snicko, Iggy’s calf muscle tore, depositing him on the ground and to the sideline for weeks to come, but not until the job in hand was completed. This was going to require a runner and possibly the chaos that one often brings to proceedings: Step forward the Landlord, next man in and never yet run out while playing for the Cowboys.
Iggy continued to defend and bludgeon as best he could, the other two doing the scampering up and down without incident or comedy, until the tragedy of his dismissal at mid-on for 28 (with a strike rate of 155, if the scorebook is to be believed, although for parts of the afternoon it is not).
Lalith took over the heavy hitting, joined now by the runner turned batsman, both searching for the runs to keep their team in contention, but when Lalith failed to complete a second run to a good throw and departed for 20, the required run rate was over ten an over with only two wickets left. Enter Garnier with the Nimbus 2013, throwing hands and craftsmanship at a ball with a modicum of width and sending it hurtling to the square boundary like a hare escaping a greyhound, twice, thereby garnering enough votes to win the Cider Moment.
There was some more scampering between wickets before Garnier’s cameo ended (word up!) and he fell to the opening bowler’s second spell with the score on 164-9, still some sixty runs short. Could Tinkler and Taylor perform a heroic tenth wicket stand? Apparently not, as the Landlord attempted a quick single to the best arm on the field, didn’t ground his bat and was run out for the first time in fifty-one games.
The Landlord was voted Man of the Match, probably not for being run out for five and dropping a catch, possibly in sympathy, as a member of the opposition had inadvertently gone off with his raincoat and a heavy shower was imminent.